Hog-catcher tongs



April 16, 1929. G. H. FRDHAM HOG CTCHER TONGS Filed March 26, 1928 Patented Apr. 16, 1929. i

ENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. FORDHAM, 0F WALNUT GROVE, MINNESOTA.

HOG-CATCHER TONGS.

Appiication med March 2e, 192s. serial No. 264,596.

` My invention relates to a hog-catching device which might more aptly be termed simply a hog-catcher and the main object iste provide a simple, effective and inexpensive` Referring to the drawing by reference letl ters, my device comprises a pair of tong members crossed and pivotally connected as at A forward of which each member comprises an elongated arm B and rearward of which each comprises an elongated rearwardly flared tubular socket C for retaining frictionally a handle D of suitable length and materiah said socket ends C being normally spread apart toward their rear ends. The handles D may of course be spread or closed to spread or close the arms A. The latter arms are provided with counterpart transverse and vertically disposed hog engaging clamp mehr bers each comprising an integral two-arched member, each arch approximately semi-cir cular and opening inwardly and both arches of each member connected by a short straight bar E fixed transversely of and integrally with the outer end of an arm' B. One set of said opposite .arches is preferably of larger radius than the other, the smaller arches designated E and the larger ones E being about twice the size of the smaller ones and both forming clamping loops when pressed toward each other.

The clamping' jaws thus formed are used to engage the snout S or" a hog H as shown in F ig. 2 ust back of the nostrils N, the operator standing rearwardly of the head of the hog, spreading the clamping arms until the jaws E or E are horizontally oppositethe snout y and then closing the device so the jaws engage the snout. By holding the handles pinched toward each other av hogs snout is thus firmly engaged and the animal can be directed to move as desired or heldwithout resistance.

It is obvious that the use oi my device facilitates the handling of hogs, large or small, tor any purpose such as loading them on cars, holding them while being branded or for clipping the ears and any other purpose, this device having proven highly eilicient for guidinga hog as desired orholding it in any desired position.

I claim:

A hog catcher of the class described comprising an elongated pair of tongs, the two members otsaid tongs being crossedv and pivotally connected, handles rearwardly of said pivot, transverse jaw members formed integral at the frontend of each tong arm eX- tending forward of the said pivot, said jaw members comprising counterpart inwardly opening vertically spaced arched jaws, one arch smaller than the other and a bar connecting said arches and fixed to the extremity otl the tong arm, said clamp membersadapted to beclosed toward each other b v said handles to form two clamping'jaws adapted to engage the snout of a hog.

In testimony whereof I- aiix my signature.

GEORGE H. FORDHAM. 

